For generations of music lovers in the United Kingdom, the phrase “I Want My MTV” once meant a daily ritual: flipping on the television to catch the latest music videos, discover new artists, or simply fill a room with the pulse of pop culture. But that era is drawing to a sudden, definitive close. Paramount, the parent company of MTV, is set to pull the plug on five of its beloved music channels in the U.K. at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2025—a move that signals the end of an iconic chapter in broadcast history and underscores the relentless march of streaming media.
According to multiple sources, including The Sun and Metro, the channels set for closure include MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live HD. The flagship MTV channel will remain on air, but it’s a far cry from its music-driven glory days, now focusing almost exclusively on reality TV shows like Geordie Shore. For many, this shift feels like the final act in a long, slow fade from MTV’s roots as a music video powerhouse.
“It’s a dark day for the music industry. MTV was once an industry powerhouse but now is a total shell of its former self,” a source told The Sun. The same source added, “All channels bar the main MTV station are being axed—but even that only airs reality TV shows like Geordie Shore.” It’s a sentiment echoed by fans and industry insiders alike, many of whom have watched the brand’s gradual transformation with a mix of nostalgia and resignation.
The closure of these channels is not limited to the U.K. Stations across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand are also facing the axe. The cuts follow the merger of Paramount and Skydance Media earlier this year, a deal that has prompted sweeping changes across the company’s global entertainment portfolio. As Metro reports, the American music brand is set to make an official announcement in the coming weeks, but the writing is already on the wall for the network’s international music video channels.
This isn’t just a story about one television brand’s struggles. It’s about a fundamental change in how audiences consume music and video content. The rise of streaming platforms has dramatically altered viewing habits, making it easier than ever to access music videos on demand via services like YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. As a result, the traditional model of scheduled music television—once the only way to catch the latest hits—has rapidly fallen out of favor.
“The channel is a victim of the rise of streaming,” the source told The Sun. That blunt assessment captures the sense of inevitability that has hovered over MTV’s music channels for years. As streaming services have grown, the audience for linear music TV has dwindled, and the economics of running multiple niche channels have become increasingly untenable.
For those who grew up with MTV, the news is especially poignant. MTV Music first launched as a nonstop music channel in February 2011 for viewers in the U.K. and Ireland, filling a gap for round-the-clock music video programming. MTV 80s and MTV 90s, both launched in 2022, provided a nostalgic trip through the decades, replacing MTV Classic and MTV Base respectively. Club MTV, which specialized in dance and electronic music genres, first hit the airwaves in 2011, was shut down in July 2020, then relaunched in April 2025—only to face closure again before the year’s end. MTV Live HD, with its roots as MTVNHD from 2008, officially adopted its current name in 2012 and has been a home for live performances and high-definition music content ever since.
The impact of these closures extends beyond just the loss of music programming. MTV’s U.K. production arm was axed in August 2025, leading to significant staff cuts and emotional farewells from employees who had spent decades at the network. “To say there has been a bloodbath of cuts would be an understatement. Staff are in tears as some have been there for decades,” a source told The Sun at the time. The sense of upheaval is palpable, not just among viewers but within the company itself.
It’s not just MTV feeling the squeeze. Nickelodeon-branded channels—including Nickelodeon, TeenNick, and NickMusic—are also set to shutter in many regions as part of Paramount’s broader cost-cutting measures. However, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, and Nick Jr. are expected to remain on air in the U.K. and Ireland for the time being, offering a small reprieve for fans of children’s programming.
For many, the end of MTV’s music channels marks the end of an era. Stars like Kelly Brook, Emma Willis, Cat Deeley, Greg James, and Joel Dommett all got their start on MTV, helping to define British pop culture over the past three decades. The network’s influence stretched far beyond music videos, shaping trends, launching careers, and serving as a cultural touchstone for millions of viewers.
Yet, as the final broadcast date approaches, there’s a sense that MTV’s legacy will live on—even if its music channels do not. The move to streaming is, in many ways, a reflection of the network’s own pioneering spirit. MTV was always about bringing the latest in music and youth culture to the masses. Today, that mission is being carried out not through cable or satellite, but through the internet and mobile devices.
MTV’s parent company, Paramount, has declined to comment on the impending closures, but the network’s fate seems sealed. As the world prepares to ring in 2026, viewers in the U.K. and beyond will have to look elsewhere for their music video fix. The MTV brand will persist, but its role—and its reach—will be forever changed.
And so, as the credits roll on MTV’s music channels, fans are left with memories of a time when turning on the TV meant stepping into the heart of the music scene. The screens may go dark, but the echoes of those unforgettable moments will linger long after the final note fades.
